This past weekend, I had the privilege of witnessing something truly extraordinary inside the O’Keefe Gymnasium at Georgia Tech. While the venue is typically reserved for volleyball, on Saturday, November 8th, it became the home of the second annual Tom Rawls Memorial Tournament, a display of discipline and heart that Georgia Tech Alumni Tom Rawls would have been incredibly proud to see. The tournament brought together more than 120 students from 11 schools across the Atlanta Metro Area, nearly double the participation from our inaugural year.
Scholars representing styles as varied as Karate, Taekwondo, Capoeira, Tai Chi, Wing Chun, and Savate filled the gym with focus, energy, and joy. The morning was dedicated to demonstrations, where each school showcased the discipline they’ve spent months developing. The afternoon transformed into a spirited, but respectful, series of sparring matches, where students put their skills and self-regulation to the test.
Standing in that room, watching students from every background bow to each other, cheer each other on, and push themselves further than they thought possible, I felt deeply aware of the legacy we were carrying forward. This tournament is, and will always be, Tom Rawls’ tournament.
I’m proud to share that together, we raised over $100,000 in support of PowerUP’s scholarship and mentorship programs.
Honoring Tom Rawls
Tom was not only a Board Member, he was a mentor, a guide, and one of the strongest champions of our mission. This tournament was his final project with us, and every year it becomes clearer how profoundly his vision continues to shape PowerUP. Tom believed fiercely that children, especially those facing difficult circumstances, could grow into confident, grounded leaders if given the right structure, encouragement, and opportunity. As I watched our students navigate their nerves, steady their breath, and persevere through the pressure of both demonstration and sparring, I saw PowerUP’s values of self-regulation, resilience, and respect brought to life. One parent told us, “Thank you for giving children the opportunity to become better people for the future. Your kindness shows that gratitude still exists.” Another shared that their child was “Committed to honoring this scholarship with my effort to improve my family, and to represent them with pride.” This is exactly the kind of impact Tom hoped martial arts would have. And as PowerUP Founder and CEO Austin Scee said at the tournament: “Meeting the PowerUP kids and instructors, and seeing the Razorhorse team working with the kids, was something special.” Tom would have felt the same.Demonstrations That Showed Skill and Heart
The morning demonstrations set the tone for the entire day. Parents commented on how moving it was to see their children perform publicly, most for the very first time. A few reflections from parents that stuck with me:
- “This is our child’s first year of martial arts and seeing the students demonstrate everything they’ve learned was beautiful.”
- “I enjoyed watching the different styles of martial arts. It opened my eyes.”
- “The school presentations were truly beautiful.”
- “Seeing the participation of other schools, it meant a lot to our family.”
These were more than performances. They were moments of pride for families who have invested time, effort, and trust in us.
Sparring: A Test of Skills and Values
The afternoon sparring rounds reminded me why martial arts is such a powerful tool for youth development. Sparring demands restraint. It demands respect. It demands courage.
One parent, reflecting on the opportunity, told us: “Without your support, I wouldn’t be able to have my children enrolled in a sport like this. Thank you PowerUP, and thank you to all the sponsors. You are changing lives.”
Another parent said, “Your support prepares our children for a brighter future. We are truly blessed to be part of this.”
These moments remind me that sparring isn’t just about technique, it’s about practicing how to stay centered when life gets difficult.
Thank You to Our Sponsors and Volunteers
This tournament simply wouldn’t exist without a community committed to lifting up our students. We were honored to have these generous sponsors this year:- Razorhorse – Black Belt Sponsor
- Tom & Debbie Avery – Brown Belt Sponsors
- Mike Kohlsdorf – Blue Belt Sponsor
- AODocs – Blue Belt Sponsor
- Southeast Pet – Blue Belt Sponsor
- Mark Monroe and Moe’s Southwest Grill – Lunch Sponsor
Our Volunteers
I cannot express my gratitude enough to our volunteers from:- Razorhorse
- AODocs
- All of our martial arts studios and instructors
What This Tournament Means for Our Community
Throughout the day, I kept returning to the same thought: this is what community looks like.
Children from different counties, different languages, different styles, and different life experiences stood side by side as equals. They learned from one another. They respected one another. They celebrated with one another.
Parents told us repeatedly that their children have grown not just physically, but emotionally, learning how to focus, how to calm themselves, how to persevere, and how to treat others with kindness.
This is Tom’s impact.
This is PowerUP’s mission.
This is what your support makes possible.
Looking Forward
As I look ahead to next year, I’m filled with gratitude, not only for what we’ve built so far, but for the future we are shaping together. The tournament is no longer just an event. It’s a gathering place for hope, a place where children see new possibilities for themselves and where families feel seen, welcomed, and valued.
Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, participated, or simply showed up with encouragement. You are carrying forward Tom’s legacy and ensuring that hundreds of young people across Atlanta have access to a transformative opportunity. Join us in continuing this work. Donate today to support PowerUP and honor Tom’s legacy.
What This Tournament Means for Our Community
Throughout the day, I kept returning to the same thought: this is what community looks like.
Children from different counties, different languages, different styles, and different life experiences stood side by side as equals. They learned from one another. They respected one another. They celebrated with one another.
Parents told us repeatedly that their children have grown not just physically, but emotionally, learning how to focus, how to calm themselves, how to persevere, and how to treat others with kindness.
This is Tom’s impact.
This is PowerUP’s mission.
This is what your support makes possible.
